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Free Tesla Supercharger Network Now Covers Cross-Country Driving

Late last week, Elon Musk made a low-key but important announcement via twitter. Tesla has just completed the coast-to-coast Supercharger network needed to allow the Tesla Model S to make a cross-country drive. It’s the first network of its kind in the U.S., and an important step in Tesla’s planned dominance of the American automotive market.

According to Musk, some 80% of Americans are “covered” by the Supercharger network, and with the completion of the interior corridor, Model S drivers can now drive from one coast to the other and back, for free, using the fast-charging system. Of course the Tesla Supercharger network doesn’t stop there, as there are plans to install many dozens more free filling stations, until the entire country is covered.

Tesla Supercharger network now energized from New York to LA, both coast + Texas! Approx 80% of US population covered.

The network should be firmly established by the time the Tesla Model E comes to market in 2017, and the proprietary charging technology will give Tesla a huge advantage over competitors whose cars rely on home or public charging stations. Buying a Tesla doesn’t just mean buying a cutting edge electric car; it means access to free fuel forever, or at least until Tesla changes its business plan.

For now though, Tesla-owning Americans can now enjoy a classic American road trip without paying a single penny for fuel, a remarkable advancement in just a short amount of time. Now about those battery swapping stations…

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro A writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs, Chris can be found wrenching or writing- or else, he's running, because he's one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.

Three men from Minnesota will set out for the Tesla factory in California on Feb. 3, 2014 in a Model S. They also plan to use only SuperChargers on their journey.

Henry WA

Providing free power is a marvellous service and a great marketing device but it is surely unsustainable. it is bit like GM running free petrol stations for its vehicles. What is the cost to Tesla and what is its business plan in this regard.

Bob_Wallace

It’s not clear that free charging is unsustainable.

I ran the numbers for the investment in solar panels per S and it wasn’t actually that high. Plus the panels will power generations of Teslas.

RobS

The amount Tesla is spending on these stations is like a rounding error compared to the marketing budgets of the big 4 Auto makers and they generate enormous free marketing value and actual genuine usefulness for owners. Tesla spends nothing on direct marketing.

I am yet to see actual confirmation but the original model called for the electrical service to be sub contracted out to solar city who would use their bulk buy solar discounts to generate power for SC’s and sell the unused generation to make a net profit. In which case the power costs Tesla nothing at all.

http://electrobatics.wordpress.com/ arne-nl

Henry,

Sunlight is free, unlike fossil fuels that are controlled by a small group of the superwealthy.

Why do you think there is so much hate writing about renewables in the mainstream press, that is controlled by the same clique?

For the $ 2000 that a Model S owner pays upfront for the Supercharging option, an amount of solar panels can be bought and installed that will generate the average necessary amount of electricity during the lifetime of the car. Solar panels usually outlive the average car (20+ years lifetime).

Remember that ‘free forever’ is only free during the lifetime of a car, so from a Tesla point of view, it is a steady source of income from each sold vehicle. No vehicle lasts forever. It’s a brilliant move.

Bob_Wallace

$2,000 buys about 1kW of installed solar. With 4.5 solar hours per day that’s 4.5kW per day. 1,640Wh per year.

At 0.3 kWh/mile that’s over 5,000 miles per year of power. Most people don’t drive a lot of >200 mile days.

Wind Energy

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